Russell T Davies addresses a previously decanonized Wilderness Years Doctor’s return to the series’ main continuity following a surprising Doctor Who season 14 cameo. In episode 7, entitled “Rogue”, Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday pay what had intended to be a peaceful visit to a glamorous Regency-era ball, only to encounter shape-shifting aliens and a bounty hunter named Rogue (Jonathan Groff). When the Doctor finds himself on the wrong side of Groff’s laser pistol and suspected of being a threat, the Time Lord unveils a holographic display showcasing his past incarnations.

After Doctor Who season 14’s past-regeneration hologram scene unveiled that Richard E Grant was among past Doctors, former series writer Paul Cornell shared a tongue-in-cheek post on Instagram referring to one of the actor’s past appearances in the show.

Alongside a promotional image of his online animated 2003 adventure “Scream of the Shalka” featuring Grant’s Doctor and Derek Jacobi’s robot duplicate Master, Cornell made a reference to one of Grant’s iconic lines from his cult classic 1999 movie, Withnail and I. In response, Davies confirmed that Grant’s newly captured likeness was intended to be the animated incarnation.

Where Does Richard E Grant’s Doctor Fit Into Doctor Who‘s Canon?

While “Rogue” is neither the first time Grant has appeared in Doctor Who or worked alongside episode writer Kate Herron, following his appearance as Classic Loki in Loki, his brief holographic cameo took fans by surprise. Intended as a continuation of the original series and to mark the show’s 40th anniversary, Grant’s animated Doctor in “Scream of the Shalka” was intended to follow Paul McGann’s Eighth Doctor in the Time Lord’s original cycle. However, plans for follow-ups were shelved when Davies’ revival was greenlit, and Grant’s Doctor was replaced by Christopher Eccleston’s in the timeline.

However, now that Grant’s Doctor has been returned to canon, it is unclear where in the cycle the “Shalka Doctor” now fits into the Time Lord’s currently known life. While him working for unseen forces easily places him alongside Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor as a pre-William Hartnell incarnation, Grant’s Doctor also has a tragic past involving Gallifrey’s destruction, making it harder to place in that period. Alternatively, Grant’s Doctor may be another instance of Davies’ being flexible with continuity, much like how he used the Toymaker’s (Neil Patrick Harris) interference in Doctor Who‘s 60th Anniversary Special to accommodate past retcons.

Regardless of his place in the timeline, Grant’s alternative Ninth Doctor’s canonization is an incredibly surprising move, given Davies’ own dislike of how “Scream of the Shalka” presented the Time Lord. While it may raise questions about deeper lore, however, it is a fun inclusion that ascends a once-overlooked tale into the main continuity and shines light on a lost gem of the Wilderness Years. Furthermore, with Grant having returned to provide footage for his holographic representation, there may be an opportunity to revisit Doctor Who‘s animated incarnation down the line and address lingering questions.

Source: Paul Cornell/Instagram